Stigmella auriargentata Remeikis & Stonis, 2016

Stonis, Jonas R., Diškus, Arūnas, Remeikis, Andrius, Karsholt, Ole & Torres, Nixon Cumbicus, 2017, Illustrated review of the leaf-mining Nepticulidae of the central Andes (Peru and Bolivia), Zootaxa 4257 (1), pp. 1-70 : 35

25. Stigmella auriargentata Remeikis & Stonis, 2016

( Figs 1 , 32 , 37 )

Stigmella auriargentata Remeikis & Stonis, in Stonis et al. 2016d: 44 , figs 113–117.

Material examined. 3 ♂ (holotype and paratypes), 1 ♀ (paratype), PERU, Dept. Ancash, 35 km SE Huaraz, Cerro Cahuish, Quabrada Puvadvado , 9°40'19"S, 77°12'21"W, elevation ca. 3870 m, 18.ii.1987, O. Karsholt, genitalia slide nos RA 537♂ (holotype), RA 541♂, RA 542♀ (paratypes) ( ZMUC) .

Diagnosis. Belongs to the S. marmorea group. Externally very similar to S. altimontana Remeikis & Stonis. The combination of set of numerous very large cornuti, rounded, lobe-like processes of transtilla, and golden grey forewing with silver shining apical area distinguishes S. auriargentata from all other Stigmella species.

Male ( Fig. 32 ). Described in in Stonis et al. 2016d: 44, fig. 113. Forewing length 2.9–3.0 mm; wingspan 6.4– 6.5 mm.

Female. Described in in Stonis et al. 2016d: 44.

Male genitalia. Illustrated in Stonis et al. 2016d: figs 114–116.

Female genitalia. Illustrated in Stonis et al. 2016d: fig. 117.

Bionomics Adults fly in February. Otherwise biology unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 1 ). This species occurs in the high Peruvian Andes ( Peru: Ancash Departamento) at altitudes about 3870 m.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Adults of the central Andean Nepticulidae.

FIGURE 37. Diagnostics of the central Andean Stigmella.

FIGURES 1 – 8. Distribution of the central Andean Nepticulidae. 1, high-Andean species recorded at altitudes above 3700 m (after Stonis et al. 2016 d); 2, species recorded at altitudes below 3700 m; 3 – 8, some collecting areas in the Peruvian Andes.